United States Begins Pursuit of the World Cup against Australia Today
Published on June 8, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (June 8, 2015) - The United States begins its pursuit reclaim the World Cup for the first time since 1999 when they meet Australia at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday at Winnipeg Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
With a roster made almost entirely of NWSL players, the U.S. enjoyed a successful Send-Off Series ahead of the tournament, posting a 2-0-1 record in the three matches.
A 3-0 win versus Republic of Ireland on May 10 was followed by a 5-1 victory May 17 against regional rival Mexico before the Americans concluded the series with a scoreless draw against Korea Republic on May 30.
Former Western New York Flash forward Abby Wambach led the U.S. with four goals in the three games, while current Flash forward Sydney Leroux - who was traded for Wambach during the offseason - added two goals against Mexico.
Chicago Red Stars players Julie Johnston and Lori Chalupny both had one goal in the three games, while the USWNT saw assists from Red Stars forward Christen Press , Houston Dash midfielder Carli Lloyd, FC Kansas City midfielder Lauren Holiday, Seattle Reign FC midfielder Megan Rapinoe, Wambach, Houston Dash midfielder Morgan Brian and Portland Thorns FC midfielder Tobin Heath.
Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC) was in goal for all three games and coach Jill Ellis used eight defenders - Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Whitney Engen (Western New York Flash) and Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC) - as the squad allowed just one goal in 270 minutes.
Portland Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan was held out of all three matches of the Send-Off Series with a bone bruise in her left knee, but was back in training for the USWNT's first practice in Winnipeg ahead of the game on Monday.
Rapinoe also returned to training after she was held out of the game against Korea Republic with sore quadriceps.
When the U.S. takes to the field Monday against Australia they can expect to see some familiar faces as the Matildas boast four current players from the NWSL - FC Kanas City midfielder Katrina Gorry, Portland Thorns FC defender Steph Catley, Sky Blue FC defender Caitlin Foord and Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr.
Three former NWSL players - goalkeeper Lydia Williams, Emily van Egmond and Lisa De Vanna - are also on coach Alen Stajcic's roster.
The No. 10-ranked Matildas come into the game on the heels of an 11-0 victory over Vietnam in their final warm-up game for the World Cup and with an eye on pulling off the early upset of the tournament over the No. 2-ranked United States.
Both teams will remain in Winnipeg for their second game of the tournament - with the U.S. facing Sweden and Australia taking on Nigeria on June 12.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 8, 2015
- Flash Announce Five-Game, Half-Season Ticket Package; on Sale Now - Western New York Flash
- Sky Blue FC Forms Partnership with English Pro Soccer and Bulldogs Soccer Academy - Sky Blue FC
- United States Begins Pursuit of the World Cup against Australia Today - NWSL
- Cameroon and Ecuador Will Make Their Debuts in the FIFA Women's World Cup Today at 7 p.m. ET - NWSL
- Francisca Ordega and Nigeria Take on Sweden Today at 4 p.m. ET in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 - NWSL
- Houston Dash Host Watch Party Tonight as U.S. Begins Women's World Cup - Houston Dash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
